WNYT.com

Word of warning: "Don't drink and drive"

ALBANY-- 2013 is coming to a close and soon, we'll be ringing in the new year. New Year's Eve is one of the biggest party nights of the year and with that fun, comes with a lot of responsibility.

Albany County Sheriff, Craig Apple, says there has never been a death in the county on New Year's Eve because of drunken driving. With the help of a local law firm, he hopes to keep it that way. He also says, he hopes people make smart choices. "I hope that we find, when we stop cars, that we find designated drivers."

Sheriff Apple says officers will be out, in full force, on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning. So, he says, the message is simple, "go out, have fun, have a plan, take advantage of 1-800-LAW-1010 or have a designated driver, whatever the case may be but, please don't drink and get behind the wheel of a car."

Paul Harding, of the Martin, Harding and Mazzotti law firm, tells us the "SAFE RIDE" program, a program designed to get you home safely via a free cab ride, has been very successful. He says, "We're finding that people are making good decisions and this is one option to get them home safely."

The Sheriff says the program is great and reminds partiers not to abuse it. "The key is, they're going to take you home. They're not taking you to another bar or another party, they're going to take you home."

So, as your night of celebration comes to an end on New Year's Eve, a word of warning from the sheriff before you decide to get into your car and drive drunk. "We're going to be out as well and look it, if you're willing to roll the dice we will be out there and chances are we will find you."

Harding echoes that statement saying, "They're gonna get you if you're drinking and driving and then you're life gets real difficult real quickly. So, do not drink and drive."

The SAFE RIDE program officially starts at 10:00 P.M. New Year's Eve and ends at 2:00 A.M. on New Year's Day. If you need a ride before or after that window of time, one will be available for you.

"Just remember the jingle" both Apple and Harding say, "call 1-800-LAW-1010" for that free cab ride home from anywhere in the Capital Region.